Rogers Retires Old Zoning Rules as Unified Development Code Shapes Future Growth
The City of Rogers has officially moved another step closer to modernizing its development process. At its July 15, 2025 meeting, the Rogers Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the repeal of Section 14-715 of the city’s code of ordinances, eliminating the Neighborhood Transition (NBT) zoning designation8_5_25 PC Agenda Packet.
Why the Change Matters
The repeal follows the adoption of the Unified Development Code (UDC) in July 2024, which replaced all previous zoning districts. NBT standards were allowed to remain on the books for an additional year, giving property owners time to apply for permits under the old rules. With this final repeal, all development in Rogers must now comply with the UDC.
City staff explained that the move simplifies the zoning landscape, ensuring consistency in how projects are reviewed. The UDC was designed to promote predictable growth patterns, emphasize neighborhood-scale design, and streamline the approval process for developers and residents alike.
What the UDC Means for Growth
The Unified Development Code represents a shift toward placetype-based zoning, focusing on how areas function rather than only on land-use separation. That means growth will be guided not just by what gets built, but how it integrates into surrounding neighborhoods.
Key features include:
Neighborhood fabric zoning: Encourages walkability and mixed-use development where appropriate.
Transition from rural to urban: Rural holding zones (T2) will be gradually replaced with higher-intensity designations (T3, T4, T5) as the city expands.
Clearer rules for developers: By consolidating old zoning categories into a unified code, the city hopes to reduce confusion and speed up review processes.
Balancing Development and Community Concerns
As rezonings like those recently proposed on 21st Street and Shores Avenue move forward under the UDC, city officials are likely to hear familiar concerns from residents: increased traffic, loss of green space, and impacts on neighborhood character.
The UDC doesn’t remove those challenges, but it does set clearer standards for density, design, and infrastructure requirements, giving the city stronger tools to balance growth with livability.
Looking Ahead
With Rogers one of the fastest-growing cities in Northwest Arkansas, the full implementation of the UDC marks a turning point. The city is betting that a streamlined code will attract quality development while ensuring neighborhoods remain functional, safe, and connected.
For residents, it means every rezoning request — from medium-intensity neighborhoods on 21st Street to suburban-style growth on Shores Avenue — will now be measured against a citywide vision for growth, not piecemeal exceptions.
